Efficient beacon transmission and reception

摘要

A control point, such as a laptop, phone, wireless access point, or other device, transmits beacons to receiving stations in a wireless network. The control point may reduce power and bandwidth consumption by transmitting beacons with smaller payloads and/or less frequently to sectors with no associated stations. The stations, which may include laptops, phones, or other devices may reduce power consumption be powering on their antennas when beacons may be transmitted to their sectors.

主权项

1. A method, comprising;
determining a transmission antenna weight vector for transmission of a first directional beacon to a first sector; transmitting, from a control point configured with the antenna weight vector, the first directional beacon to the first sector; receiving a selected sector indicator, at the control point, from a station in the first sector; in response to the selected sector indicator, changing a selected sector listing in the control point; and responsive to the selected sector listing, determining to transmit a second directional beacon to the first sector.